Department stores are estimated to be down 10

But the index is off nearly 10.5 percent since retailers reported December sales in early January.On Monday, Macy's Inc (M.N) became the latest major store chain to cut jobs, freeze executive salaries and pare capital spending for 2009.The parent of Bloomingdale's and Macy's said it would slash about 7,000 jobs, or 4 percent of its workforce, and shave its quarterly dividend by more than half. It said same-store sales could fall 6 percent to 8 percent this year.In recent years, January has become an important month for store chains as consumers redeem gift cards received over Christmas. But with 2008 gift-card sales suffering in the most dismal holiday shopping season in nearly 40 years, analysts are not expecting much of a lift this year.Gift cards "will help in clearing out clearance inventory but I wouldn't expect a major bump-up from gift-card spending," said Sarah Henry, retail analyst with MFC Global Investment Management.Colder January temperatures and snow helped retailers sell hats and gloves but also slowed traffic in some parts of the country. According to weather forecasting service Planalytics, the month was the coldest January since 2004.For the week ended on Saturday, sales were up 1.6 percent from the prior week but down 2.5 percent from a year earlier, according to the ICSC-Goldman Sachs weekly chain store sales index.VALUE IN VOGUERetail leader Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N) is expected to post a 1 percent same-store sales rise at U.S stores. BJ's Wholesale Club Inc (BJ.N) and Fred's Inc (FRED.O) are also expected to eke out sales gains as consumers continue to trade down to lower-priced chains.Apparel retailers, with an expected 11 percent same-store sales decline, may turn in the worst January performance. Department stores are estimated to be down 10.6 percent.With retailers expected to comment on sales trends and update profit forecasts for the fourth quarter and coming year, analysts will be looking to further gauge the effect of deep discounting on margins and inventory levels heading into the spring selling season.A host of retailers have already cut quarterly profit forecasts, saying price markdowns hammered margins."We've seen a dramatic fall in consumer demand and a lack of inspiring fashion, two factors that are contributing to a very weak January," Stifel Nicolaus analyst Richard Jaffe said during a conference call on Tuesday."While spring assortments are looking new and fresh and attractive, I don't think they are getting much of a response," Jaffe added.Beyond January, many retail watchers are also not banking on a sales pickup. Shoppers' lack of motivation to spend, rising unemployment and falling prices are expected to keep retail conditions weak in 2009."Consumers are going to remain extremely cautious in the first half of the year given everything that is going on," said Morningstar's Picciola.

) Welcome back to another exciting rendition of College Football Pick'em. Last weeks games were an excellent way to kickoff the season. Here we went 7-3 overall, so not too bad there. But enough of that, on with the picks.Game of the Week3 Southern California at 8 Ohio StateWinner USC-Fresman quarterback Matt Barkley will be undeterred going into the first road game of his college career. It doesn't matter that it's taking place in Columbus. The Buckeyes will keep it close early but the superior athletes of USC will take this game going away.18 Notre Dame at MichiganWinner Michigan-The Irish come into this game listening too much to their own hype. The much improved Wolverines and their freshman quarterback catch them and pull off the big upset in this game.Houston at 5 Oklahoma StateWinner Oklahoma State-If you like offense, then this is the game for you. Both teams are capable of puting up points in a hurry. Look for the Cowboys to ride the momentum of theri opening game win against Gerogia. They get up early and win big.East Carolina at West VirginiaWinner West Virginia-The Pirates come in looking to repeat one of the bigger upsets of last season. WV will be more than ready for them this time. A little home cooking goes a long way.19 North Carolina at ConnecticutWinner North Carolina-The Heels are coming off of a strong defensive showing against the Citadel last week. If they can do more of the same it's going to be a long day for the Husky offense. Look for Carolina quarterback, TJ Yates to pick apart the UCONN defense.Pittsburgh at BuffaloWinner Buffalo-Pittsburgh looks to be a much improved team in the Big East this year. But this isn't a conference game. The defending MAC champ Bulls sneak up on the Panthers and squeak out a win.Oregon at PurdueWinner Oregon-The Ducks get their sputtering offense going in this game after shaking off the effects of the loss and sucker punch in Boise. Look for an explosion of points in this one as Oregon scores in every which way they canUCLA at TennesseeWinner Tennessee-UCLA will be bringing in a freshman quarterback to meet Lane Kiffin and 106,000 of his closest friends on Rocky Top. The Vols won't let up on the gas in order to keep the momentum going into the beginning of the SEC schedule. It won't be a blow out but it could border on one.South Carolina at 21 GeorgiaWinner South Carolina-The Gamecocks catch the Bulldogs at the best time, recovering from their big loss at Oklahoma State last weeks. The strength of South Carolina lies in their defense and will carry them to an early upset conference win.Vanderbilt at 11 LSUWiner LSU-The Tigers have held Vandy to 33 total points over the last few years. Look for that trend to continue. LSU just has too much offense for a pretty good Commodores team to handle. The Tigers are at home, at night, so take them big.There you have it, my picks for what I believe are the ten best games of week two. Kick back and enjoy another great week in the world of college football.. HOUSTON, TX, Feb 03 (MARKET WIRE) Vantage Drilling Company ("Vantage" or the, "Company") (AMEX: VTG-U)(AMEX: VTG) (AMEX: VTG-WS) is pleased to announce that its recentlyconstructed jackup drilling rig Emerald Driller has commenced itscontract and begun mobilization to its first drilling location inThailand. Emerald Driller is the first of four Vantage jackup drillingrigs being constructed by PPL Shipyard Pte, Ltd.Paul Bragg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vantage, commented,"With the mobilization of our first completed rig, we are now earning ourinitial dayrate drilling revenues under a two year operating agreement inThailand. I congratulate our operations team and the PPL shipyard on a jobwell done."Vantage, a Cayman Islands exempted company, is an offshore drillingcontractor, with four Baker Marine Pacific Class 375 ultra-premium jackupdrilling rigs and an ultra deepwater drillship, the Platinum Explorer,currently under development.

Vantage is also providing management servicesto an affiliate with respect to two other ultra-deepwater drillships.The information above includes forward-looking statements within themeaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of1934. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks,uncertainties and assumptions identified above or as disclosed from timeto time in the Company's filings with the Securities and ExchangeCommission. As a result of these factors, actual results may differmaterially from those indicated or implied by such forward-lookingstatementsPublic & Investor Relations Contact:Paul A. BraggChairman and Chief Executive OfficerVantage Drilling Company(281) 404-4700Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.-0-. Well the holiday season is here for Boston Sports Fans! It doesn’t start at Thanksgiving or on dreaded “Black Friday” which begins the Christmas shopping frenzy. Labor Day weekend ushers in the official spreading of Boston Sports holiday cheer! The Red Sox are in the midst of another World Series run. The Patriots and Tom Brady are ready to wipe away the playoff-less “mulligan” season of 2008(Picked by experts to win the Super Bowl this year).

The Celtics are awaiting the return of KG and the debut of ‘Sheed. The Bruins are looking to make their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 1990. No more roaming the channels to fill your void of sports deprivation (Man versus Wild is as close as I get to real sports excitement). NFL Network and ESPN will be chock to the brim with NFL games, baseball playoffs, and hockey and basketball trading camps news. Sports radio will be discussing a multitude of topics rather than just being MLB radio. WARNING: Sports sensory overload will begin and you will have to like it! Think about it, you could live in Kansas City (Poor Royals and an injured Matt Cassel) or Jacksonville (sorry no Jag home games on TV!). You live in the hub of sports! Rejoice! TANGENT: I wrote the beginning of this blog, folded up like a lawn chair on a flight from Boston to Atlanta No leg room No elbow room. The girl in front of me moved her seat back so forcefully with reckless abandon that she almost decapitated my laptop (I know how the French felt during the revolution Off with their heads!). Damn I wish I flew Southwest! When are you going to fly to Atlanta (Air Tran did have Wi-Fi for $6 bucks, so that eased the pain a bit!) I thought I could “relax” on the MARTA which is Atlanta’s feeble attempt at public transportation (I miss the “T”).